A love letter to: The Weight of Feathers by Anna-Marie McLemore

Summary

For twenty years, the Palomas and the Corbeaus have been rivals and enemies, locked in an escalating feud for over a generation. Both families make their living as traveling performers in competing shows—the Palomas swimming in mermaid exhibitions, the Corbeaus, former tightrope walkers, performing in the tallest trees they can find.

Lace Paloma may be new to her family’s show, but she knows as well as anyone that the Corbeaus are pure magia negra, black magic from the devil himself. Simply touching one could mean death, and she's been taught from birth to keep away. But when disaster strikes the small town where both families are performing, it’s a Corbeau boy, Cluck, who saves Lace’s life. And his touch immerses her in the world of the Corbeaus, where falling for him could turn his own family against him, and one misstep can be just as dangerous on the ground as it is in the trees.

Beautifully written, and richly imaginative, The Weight of Feathers is an utterly captivating young adult novel by a talented new voice.

I DREAMT LAST NIGHT of feathers and sequins, of swaying trees brushing through wings, I dreamt of opalescent scales and candy colored tails.

ALONG THE RIVER'S EDGE, two families are locked in a bitter feud, fed by dark superstitions and rivalry, the Palomas and Corbeaus.

Caught in the midst, two star-crossed lovers - like Romeo and Juliet, are Lace Paloma and Cluck Corbeau. With each word, from the very first page, you beguiled me with your vivid imagery and language both lush and languorous. Feathers, scales and destined romance mix with heritage, family dynamics, and betrayal creating a read rooted with one foot in the mundane and the other the magical.

YOUR STORY UNFOLDS, alternating between Lace and Cluck's voice, giving way to snippets of French and Spanish. Mingling myth, folklore, and traditions. I admired Cluck's fierce, yet quiet strength. Wearing grands-pèresclothes, his shoes walking towards a new vision where a Paloma takes wings. I wanted to hold your hand, the one you try to hide so well. Anger and frustration swirled before my eyes, at a brother who is no brother. If I ran my fingers through your hair, would feathers fall at my feet?

LIKE THE SCALES THAT CARESS YOUR SKIN, I could not help but feel your pull. Lace, a heroine cast out, tangled in a net of intrigue and superstition. The feather that burns, its imprint your undoing. I admire your determination, to right wrongs and leapt to the unknown. Your eyes see a young, Corbeau - one that defies tradition, creating an unfurling bloom in your heart.

I LOVED EVERY MOMENT SPENT WITH YOU, and as I closed the last page from The Weight of Feathers, I wondered at the hands who crafted you. Lyrical, romantic and filled with magical atmosphere, you enchant. I did not want the story to end, less I have to leave its world.